Manipulating Quantum Structures Using Laser Pulses

Presents the theory of quantum-state manipulation and equations which can be applied to complicated multilevel quantum systems, for researchers.

Bruce W. Shore (Author)

9780521763578, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 September 2011

586 pages, 137 b/w illus.
25.4 x 18 x 3.1 cm, 1.3 kg

'… a remarkable volume … This book has exemplary clarity of exposition…' Optics and Photonics News

The use of laser pulses to alter the internal quantum structure of individual atoms and molecules has applications in quantum information processing, the coherent control of chemical reactions and in quantum-state engineering. This book presents the underlying theory of such quantum-state manipulation for researchers and graduate students. The book provides the equations, and approaches for their solution, which can be applied to complicated multilevel quantum systems. It also gives the background theory for application to isolated atoms or trapped ions, simple molecules and atoms embedded in solids. Particular attention is given to the ways in which quantum changes can be displayed graphically to help readers understand how quantum changes can be controlled.

1. Introduction
2. Atoms as structured particles
3. Radiation
4. The laser-atom interaction
5. Picturing quantum structure and changes
6. Incoherence: rate equations
7. Coherence: the Schrödinger equation
8. Two-state coherent excitation
9. Weak pulse: perturbation theory
10. The vector model
11. Sequential pulses
12. Degeneracy
13. Three states
14. Raman processes
15. Multilevel excitation
16. Averages and the statistical matrix (density matrix)
17. Preparing superpositions
18. Measuring superpositions
19. Overall phase, interferometry and cyclic dynamics
20. Atoms affecting fields
21. Atoms in cavities
22. Control and optimization
Appendices
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Electricity, electromagnetism & magnetism [PHK], Optical physics [PHJ], Physics [PH], Mathematics & science [P]